HOW THEY MATCH UP
RAMS (2017: 11-5) AT OAKLAND (2017: 6-10)
When Rams have the ball
Sean McVay, the reigning NFL coach of the year, showed last season that he could handle oversight of the entire Rams operation and also call plays. All the Rams did was lead the league in scoring. So look for McVay to continue to utilize running back Todd Gurley as a dual-threat NFL and Fantasy football star. Here’s some bad news for the Raiders and other opponents: The offense returns nearly intact. The one change — receiver Brandin Cooks in place of Sammy Watkins — is expected to provide third-year quarterback Jared Goff with an upgraded deep threat. And Pharoh Cooper could provide McVay with something that Tavon Austin did not: a motion receiver as a legitimate target. Goff did not take a preseason snap — nor did any of the Rams’ starters — so Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther will no doubt call for numerous blitzes in an attempt to hit and rattle Goff and force mistakes. If linebacker Khalil Mack was still coming off the edge for the Raiders, McVay might be worried. But the $135-million contract the Rams gave Aaron Donald served as the Raiders’ cue to trade Mack to the Chicago Bears. The Raiders still have defensive end Bruce Irvin and linebackers Tahir Whitehead and Derrick Johnson, among others.
When Raiders have the ball
Raiders coach Jon Gruden is on the sideline for the first time in 10 years. In his first real game back, he’s scheming against Wade Phillips, who has worked in the NFL nearly without interruption for more than four decades. The Raiders might have an equalizer of sorts: Offensive coordinator Greg Olson was the Rams quarterbacks coach last season. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will look across the line of scrimmage and see a Rams front that includes Donald, Ndamukong Suh and Michael Brockers, and a secondary featuring shutdown cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters. If Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch can navigate his way through the line, he will have the opportunity to test the Rams’ biggest question mark: the linebacker corps. Veteran Mark Barron is doubtful because of an Achilles issue, so Ramik Wilson probably will start in his place alongside Cory Littleton, who is starting at middle linebacker for the first time. Carr will be looking to pass to receivers Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson. But Donald, Suh and Brockers probably won’t give him much time.
When they kick
Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein, punter Johnny Hekker, snapper Jake McQuaide and return man Cooper all were voted to the Pro Bowl in 2017. Zuerlein, the NFL’s leading scorer last season, appears completely recovered from December back surgery. With new kickoff rules, look for Rams special-teams coordinator John Fassel to find creative ways to exploit them. The Raiders won’t be relying on continuity. Kicker Mike Nugent was with the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears last season, punter Johnny Townsend was playing in college at Florida, kick returner Dwayne Harris for the New York Giants.
Gary Klein’s prediction
Rams starters on offense did not take a preseason snap, and the defense only took seven. If they start — and remain — sluggish, McVay will be targeted for criticism. But it probably won’t matter because the Rams have much more talent on offense, defense and special teams. Look for McVay to teach mentor Gruden a lesson. RAMS 30, RAIDERS 13